'Spanakorizo' (σπανακόρυζο) is a dish that got its name from its 2 main ingredients: 'Spanaki' meaning 'Spinach' and 'Rizo' meaning 'Rice'. So as its name 'Spinach Rice' already reveals, it is a very easy to create dish.
Spanakorizo can be eaten both 'warm' or 'cold'. The latter is my favorite. I LOVE it, prepared (and stored in the refrigerator) yesterday. When all the flavors have absorbed well by the rice, this dish becomes even more delightful.
So save some for tomorrow!
I serve Spanakorizo always with some cubes of Feta cheese and some lemon wedges.
Accompanied with a fresh, white wine this dish comes to its full right. Greece has many great wines but may I suggest you: PROTOPAPAS (Sauvignon - Chardonnay - Traminer) 2018. It is a great, yet cheap (under €5), table wine.
Ingredients:
- 250 gr. rice.
- 1 kg. fresh spinach.
- 4- 5 shallots (you can also use 1 big onion but shallots don't have this sharp taste).
- 1 bunch of dill.
- 2 red (Florina) peppers.
- juice of 2 lemons.
- 200 ml. olive oil.
- 500 ml. water.
- 1 teaspoon of salt.
- 1 teaspoon of (black) pepper.
- 1 teaspoon of cumin.
Preparation:
- (1) Cut the shallots (or the onion) into small pieces.
- (2) Cut the spinach and the dill into a small pieces. (Don't use a blender!).
- (3) Cut the 2 red (Florina) peppers (cross) into small slices.
- (4) Heat up the 200 ml. of olive oil in a frying pan.
- (5) Fruit the shallots (or the onion) in this oil.
- (6) Add the spinach and dill mixture.
- (7) Add the slices of (Florina) peppers.
- (8) Add the 500 ml. water.
- (9) Boil all this for about 3 minutes.
- (10) Spoon, gently, the 250 gr. of rice into the mixture.
- (11) Bring on taste with salt, pepper and cumin.
- (12) Cook the 'Spanakorizo' further, on a gentle fire, until all the water is absorbed or the rice is well-done.
- (13) Sprinkle the lemon juice over the 'Spanakorizo' and mix (with a spoon).Finally:
- Serve the 'Spanakorizo' with some cubes of fresh Feta cheese (I prefer the Epirus one as it has a very fresh taste) and lemon wedges.
Enjoy!
